----====* Everett's Blade *====----

We slept beneath the powdered mist,

A thousand guns had made.

And faroff shells would whisper death,

In passing where we laid.

-=*=-

I gave my quilt to Bennington,

My coat to Robert Slade.

And shivered in the moonless night,

Just me, and Everett's Blade.

-=*=-

I lost my father to a sword

At Shiloh's where he fell.

And brother Seth, who died alone

At Gettysburg, they tell.

-=*=-

So now there's only me who's left,

Just laying here afraid.

Cause if I die, and don't go home,

Who'll carry Everett's Blade?

-=*=-

He married her, all Yankee proud,

And took her North to live.

She loved him, so we let her go,

With all she had to give.

-=*=-

The letter came, she died, it said,

To Indians, in a raid,

And with it came, in shiny brass,

The sheath with Everett's Blade.

-=*=-

It's been too long to hate so much,

It ties us like a cord.

I've searched for Everett all these years,

To give him back his sword.

-=*=-

And now, he's only 'cross the lines,

So near, but safe til dawn.

I pray that when I lead the charge

He'll wait, and not be gone.

-=*=-

And when I'm done, and he is dead,

I'll go to where he's laid,

And bury deeply, in his chest,

The sword called Everett's Blade.

-=*=-

We Jacksons are a vengeful lot,

When there's a bill needs paid,

For in the box with Everett's sword,

We found her golden braid.

----====*====----